Chalk up win number one for Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers, who overcame plenty of adversity to beat the Falcons, 18-10, in the season opener in Atlanta. Chris Boswell kicked six field goals, three of them over 50 yards, and even was called upon to punt after new punter Cameron Johnston went down with a serious knee injury.
Justin Fields started at quarterback in place of Russell Wilson, whose calf injury prevented him from playing; and wide receiver Scotty Miller was pressed into service as the holder in place of Johnston on Boswell’s last field goal.
Tomlin said it was big to win on the road in an opener.
Tomlin says the Steelers have a lot of room for improvement, especially offensively, but the win means a lot.
The decision to start Fields instead of Wilson was made about two hours before the game, and Tomlin was comfortable that Fields would do the job.
TJ Watt led the defense with a fumble recovery and two tackles for loss, plus a pressure on Falcons QB Kirk Cousins that led to a Donte Jackson interception. He also lost out on two strip sacks, one because he was called offsides when replays showed he wasn’t, and the other because of a penalty against Jackson in the secondary. Watt enjoyed the disruption caused by visiting Steelers fans being so noisy all game long.
Watt says the Steelers can be much better than they were yesterday.
The veteran linebacker says the Steelers defensive corps has faith in each other.
Fields completed 17 of 23 passes for 156 yards and he ran for 57 yards on 14 carries. He was grateful to win in his hometown of Atlanta.
Fields was unhappy with the Steelers’ slow start and their inability to complete drives, but he says they overcame their frustrations.
Fields loved watching Boswell do his thing, but he would rather not have to rely on field goals to win.
Boswell hit field goals from 57, 56, and 51 yards, one shy of the NFL record for field goals of 50 or more yards in one game. His punt traveled 43 yards and had a net of 40.
Tomlin said he’ll have more information on Johnston’s condition after further evaluation. If his leg injury is serious enough to prevent him from punting this week, former Steeler Pressley Harvin III is available, having been cut by the 49ers at the end of training camp.
The Steelers play at Denver on Sunday. The Broncos were beaten by Seattle yesterday, 26-20.
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